Borstbeeld van Frederik Willem II van Pruisen 1776 - 1818

This is a portrait of Frederick William II of Prussia by Henriëtte Félicité Tassaert. Tassaert, born in Berlin, came from a family of artists. She was one of a few women who managed to achieve recognition as artists during a period of significant social and political upheaval. Frederick William II, who ruled Prussia from 1786 to 1797, was known for his patronage of the arts and for his complex relationships, particularly with women. It's interesting to consider the dynamics at play when a female artist is commissioned to portray a powerful male figure. What does it mean to have a woman’s perspective shape the visual legacy of a king? In this portrait, Frederick William is presented in profile, his gaze directed towards the future, perhaps reflecting the weight of leadership and legacy. The softness of the lines and the delicate shading give the portrait an intimate feel, as if Tassaert sought to capture not just the king’s likeness, but something of his inner character.